Korean set meals and crispy sweet and sour pork in Daegu: Cafe Dongi

Today I went to check out the Sincheon water park and stopped by Cafe Dongi Suseong 1-ga Branch, located in Suseong-dong. Last time I visited the Chimsan branch of Cafe Dongi, I had a satisfying meal that felt like great value for money, so when I realized there was a Cafe Dongi nearby, I didn't hesitate to visit. Let me tell you about the atmosphere and features of the Suseong 1-ga branch, plus where to park.

Where is Cafe Dongi Suseong 1-ga Branch, and when is it open?

Cafe Dongi Suseong 1-ga Branch is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 4 of Daebonggyo Station.

• Hours: 11:00–20:30
• Break time: 15:00–17:00
• Last order: 14:30 / 20:00
• Closed: None
• High chair: Available

You can use the apartment complex's commercial parking lot, and Cafe Dongi appears right after you walk up the slope shown in the photo.

At the entrance there were chairs for waiting, along with cool heotgae tea (raisin tree tea) to drink while you wait.

Roomy indoor seating at Cafe Dongi, fine for solo diners

This is the indoor space at Cafe Dongi Suseong 1-ga Branch. It was laid out in an L-shape, mostly with 4-person tables, but there was also a bar table on one side that looked great for solo dining. The seats were spaced generously apart, so you could eat comfortably.

Self-serve fried eggs and ppeongtwigi (puffed rice crisps)

What I think is Cafe Dongi's charm point is that you can grill your own fried egg — it goes so well with Korean dishes that it feels like an extra-thoughtful service. There's also ppeongtwigi (puffed rice snack) to enjoy lightly after the meal, so keep that in mind too.

Cafe Dongi menu: Korean set meals and sweet and sour pork

Cafe Dongi's menu ranges from stir-fries to stews, bibimbap, and sweet and sour pork. The premium Korean set meals come with a charcoal grill so your food stays warm as you eat, plus tea and doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew), making for a well-rounded Korean-style spread. There are also seasonal menus and value sets, so overall it looks like a good place to enjoy Korean food without breaking the bank. If you order a set meal together with sweet and sour pork, you get 10% off, so keep that in mind.

Out of the many options, we ordered the Dongi charcoal-grilled jeyuk bokkeum (spicy pork stir-fry) set, the seasonal bulgogi yeolmu bibimbap set, and the Dongi nuruk-fermented sweet and sour pork. Last time I tried the tasting-size sweet and sour pork and it was so good that this time I decided to order the full portion.

Bulgogi yeolmu bibimbap set: tangy, crunchy young radish

First up is the seasonal bulgogi yeolmu bibimbap set. The side dishes were bean sprouts, seasoned dried anchovies, and seaweed soup, and everything was seasoned just right to go with the bibimbap. The bibimbap ingredients came in a bowl that was easy to mix.

True to its name, it came with bulgogi, yeolmu (young radish greens), and vegetables for mixing, plus a pre-cooked fried egg that got mixed in with gochujang (red chili paste). The bibimbap had the tangy flavor and crunchy texture unique to yeolmu, and with the bulgogi in there too, it made for a filling meal.

Flame-grilled jeyuk bokkeum set with a smoky edge

Next was the Dongi charcoal-grilled jeyuk bokkeum set. The basic side dishes and setup were the same. True to being charcoal-grilled, the pork had a deep smoky char along with a savory flavor, and the sauce was a classic sweet-and-spicy jeyuk bokkeum flavor that pretty much everyone would like, so it was easy and satisfying to eat. There were also plenty of vegetables mixed in with the meat, which went well with the rice.

One thing that was a bit disappointing was that the meat cooled down as time passed while eating. Compared to last time, when I had the premium set that comes with an individual charcoal grill, this fell a bit short in that regard. So if you want to enjoy the charcoal-grilled jeyuk bokkeum warm all the way to the end, I'd suggest ordering the premium set with the individual grill.

Nuruk-fermented sweet and sour pork, good even without the sauce

After trying it as a tasting portion last time and finding it just as good as any Chinese restaurant's sweet and sour pork, I ordered the small size this time. The batter was fried crisp and savory, and the meat inside was nice and thick. The meat itself was well-seasoned, so it was delicious even eaten plain without sauce, and the sweet-and-tangy sauce was also great — good either way. You get 10% off when ordering it with a set menu, so give it a try.

It was nice to enjoy a hearty spread of well-prepared Korean food, and with prices that don't feel like a burden, I thought this would be a comfortable place to visit anytime a craving for Korean food hits. If you're craving Korean food or want a filling, no-fuss meal, give Cafe Dongi Suseong 1-ga Branch a try.